Kaua‘i Election 2026

Due to low turnout for elections from Native Hawaiians, two Big Island-born students developed a resource that connects the history of civic engagement in the Hawaiian Kingdom to modern voting.

Kirill Basin of Kīhei was arrested during the weekend in connection with a terroristic threatening incident at a South Maui beach; the incident follows a May 29 incident during which he allegedly entered a Maui County building while brandishing a firearm.

The top 14 vote-getters in the Saturday primary advance to the general election on Nov. 3.

The candidates, which include three current Kauaʻi County Council members, are all running to replace term-limited Derek S.K. Kawakami.

The move is in support of the Aug. 8 state primary elections; well more than 100,000 ballots already arrived as of July 30 by mail.

This year, Kauaʻi residents can vote for mayor, all seven County Council seats and various state and federal offices.

Officials urge voters to vote early so they can beat the long lines expected during the Aug. 8 state primary elections.

That includes on overpasses, fencing, signposts and poles as well as anywhere visible from the highway; illegally placed signs will be removed.

Kaua’i County elections officials also remind voters that ballots must be received — NOT postmarked — by 7 p.m. the night of the primaries, Aug. 8.

Some of the island’s most pressing environmental challenges and solutions to Kauaʻi’s solid waste and landfill concerns are at the top of the forum agenda, plus other environmental issues that impact the island.

Ballot packets are only mailed to active voters.

Hawai‘i Office of Elections also reminds state voters about how to track their ballots, troubleshooting problems and more.

The 12th annual Mayor’s Event will highlight the leadership and impact of the outgoing term-limited mayor, who is now a Democratic candidate for Hawai‘i lieutenant governor.

Six aspiring candidates vying to become the next mayor of Kauaʻi gathered at the Princeville Community Center to address vital issues ranging from housing to waste management in a forum hosted by North Shore Give.

“It may seem like a small change, but [automatic voter registration] will help modernize our election system, reduce administrative costs, improve the accuracy of voter rolls and make it easier for residents to participate in the democratic process,” said Oʻahu state Sen. Stanley Chang.

Office plans statewide congressional debate and trustee candidate forums.

The state’s free ballot tracking service sends voters updates about the status of their mail ballot and provides deadline reminders throughout the year, plus more.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to review the 2026 Hawaiʻi Candidate’s Manual.

No other candidate has officially filed to run for the No. 2 elected post in the state, but five other candidates have pulled papers, including former Deputy Attorney General John Choi.

The Honolulu attorney said he is launching a people-first movement focused on restoring public trust, strengthening accountability, and lowering the cost of living.